Working with the public: how an unusual museum enquiry turned into travels through time and space

Museum enquiries offer a unique opportunity to engage on a one-to-one level with members of the public. This paper covers an unusual enquiry from 2013 of an unknown tooth that was brought into Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery for identification. We highlight how museum enquiries can engage with members of the public by involving them directly with original scientific research. The tooth was found in a garden in Plymouth with no associated data of about where it originated. We identified the tooth, and the enquirer researched the history of the house. The tooth gave the appearance of a sub-fossil so with the large number of Quaternary sites in Plymouth, together with the identification of the previous owner on the site, there were valid reasons to undertake testing of the tooth to determine its origin. Strontium (Sr) isotope analysis of the tooth was carried out to determine if the tooth was British and radiocarbon dating was undertaken to work out the age of the tooth. The 87Sr /86Sr of the leopard tooth gave a value of 0.716131, with Sr concentrations at 568ppm. This is a high concentration of Sr ppm relative to other British data, suggesting a non-British origin. The radiocarbon measurement was 187 ± 24 years BP (University of Oxford Radiocarbon Accelerator Unit reference OxA-30390). This places the tooth not in the Pleistocene, but between 1739 and 1787 AD. The site where the tooth was discovered was owned by the brother of Linnaeus Tripe who travelled across India and Burma. We argue that the results of this study demonstrate that this leopard tooth was originally from India or Burma, and brought into Britain by Tripe

Reliability analysis of a structural ceramic combustion chamber

The Weibull modulus, fracture toughness and thermal properties of a silicon nitride material used to make a gas turbine combustor were experimentally measured. The location and nature of failure origins resulting from bend tests were determined with fractographic analysis. The measured Weibull parameters were used along with thermal and stress analysis to determine failure probabilities of the combustor with the CARES design code. The effect of data censoring, FEM mesh refinement, and fracture criterion were considered in the analysis

La violencia femenina en los conflictos armados y la (no) reaccion de los organismos internacionales

Las representaciones dominantes de las guerras y los conflictos armados en el discurso popular y políticos establecen una dicotomía entre los combatientes masculinos y actores de violencia, y las mujeres, víctimas pasivas de la violencia durante el conflicto. Los ejércitos nacionales continúan siendo predominantemente masculinos (si bien mayor cantidad de ejércitos permiten e incentivan la presencia de mujeres soldados), es importante no ignorar el rol active que tienen las mujeres en combate, y los actos violentos que pueden perpetrar, incluyendo la violencia sexual y de género contra otras mujeres.La invisibilización de esta realidad de mujeres violentas puede ser explicada por las formas masculinas del militarismo, pero también que las mujeres son esencialmente más pacificas y más empáticas que los hombres, es difícil reconciliar una crítica de la Guerra y “masculinidades militarizadas” con el reconocimiento que también hay formas de femineidad que son militarizadas y violentas. Este no reconocimiento de la violencia de la mujer durante la Guerra que también se extiende a las organizaciones internacionales, que frecuentemente refuerzan las dicotomías y estereotipos de hombres violentos y mujeres inocentes durante las intervenciones. En este artículo explore los impactos de la invisibilización de la violencia de las mujeres durante conflictos, incluyendo impactos negativos en estas mujeres.Dominant representations of wars and armed conflicts in political and popular discourse establish a dichotomy between male combatants and actors of violence, and women, passive victims of violence during conflict. But if it remains true that national armies are still in their majority male (even though more and more armies allow and even encourage female soldiers), it is important not to ignore the active roles played by women in com-bat, and the violent acts that they may perpetrate, including sexual and gender-based violence against other women. The invisibility of this reality of violent women can be explained by the very masculine norms of militarism, but also by a reluctance from some feminists to talk about this violence. Feminist researchers may find it difficult to talk about the women’s violence because even if one rejects the idea that women are essentially more peaceful or more empathetic than men, it is sometimes difficult to reconcile a critique of war and “militarized masculinities” with a recognition that there are also forms of femininity that are militarized and violent. This non-recognition of women’s violence during war also extends to international organizations, who often reinforce the gendered dichotomies and stereotypes of violent men and innocent women during their interventions. In this article we explore the impacts of this invisibilization of women’s violence during conflicts, including negative impacts on these women themselves.Las representaciones dominantes de las guerras y los conflictos armados en el discurso popular y políticos establecen una dicotomía entre los combatientes masculinos y actores de violencia, y las mujeres, víctimas pasivas de la violencia durante el conflicto. Los ejércitos nacionales continúan siendo predominantemente masculinos (si bien mayor cantidad de ejércitos permiten e incentivan la presencia de mujeres soldados), es importante no ignorar el rol active que tienen las mujeres en combate, y los actos violentos que pueden perpetrar, incluyendo la violencia sexual y de género contra otras mujeres.La invisibilización de esta realidad de mujeres violentas puede ser explicada por las formas masculinas del militarismo, pero también que las mujeres son esencialmente más pacificas y más empáticas que los hombres, es difícil reconciliar una crítica de la Guerra y “masculinidades militarizadas” con el reconocimiento que también hay formas de femineidad que son militarizadas y violentas. Este no reconocimiento de la violencia de la mujer durante la Guerra que también se extiende a las organizaciones internacionales, que frecuentemente refuerzan las dicotomías y estereotipos de hombres violentos y mujeres inocentes durante las intervenciones. En este artículo explore los impactos de la invisibilización de la violencia de las mujeres durante conflictos, incluyendo impactos negativos en estas mujeres

La violencia femenina en los conflictos armados y la (no) reaccion de los organismos internacionales

Dominant representations of wars and armed conflicts in political and popular discourse establish a dichotomy between male combatants and actors of violence, and women, passive victims of violence during conflict. But if it remains true that national armies are still in their majority male (even though more and more armies allow and even encourage female soldiers), it is important not to ignore the active roles played by women in com-bat, and the violent acts that they may perpetrate, including sexual and gender-based violence against other women. The invisibility of this reality of violent women can be explained by the very masculine norms of militarism, but also by a reluctance from some feminists to talk about this violence. Feminist researchers may find it difficult to talk about the women’s violence because even if one rejects the idea that women are essentially more peaceful or more empathetic than men, it is sometimes difficult to reconcile a critique of war and “militarized masculinities” with a recognition that there are also forms of femininity that are militarized and violent. This non-recognition of women’s violence during war also extends to international organizations, who often reinforce the gendered dichotomies and stereotypes of violent men and innocent women during their interventions. In this article we explore the impacts of this invisibilization of women’s violence during conflicts, including negative impacts on these women themselves.Las representaciones dominantes de las guerras y los conflictos armados en el discurso popular y políticos establecen una dicotomía entre los combatientes masculinos y actores de violencia, y las mujeres, víctimas pasivas de la violencia durante el conflicto. Los ejércitos nacionales continúan siendo predominantemente masculinos (si bien mayor cantidad de ejércitos permiten e incentivan la presencia de mujeres soldados), es importante no ignorar el rol active que tienen las mujeres en combate, y los actos violentos que pueden perpetrar, incluyendo la violencia sexual y de género contra otras mujeres.La invisibilización de esta realidad de mujeres violentas puede ser explicada por las formas masculinas del militarismo, pero también que las mujeres son esencialmente más pacificas y más empáticas que los hombres, es difícil reconciliar una crítica de la Guerra y “masculinidades militarizadas” con el reconocimiento que también hay formas de femineidad que son militarizadas y violentas. Este no reconocimiento de la violencia de la mujer durante la Guerra que también se extiende a las organizaciones internacionales, que frecuentemente refuerzan las dicotomías y estereotipos de hombres violentos y mujeres inocentes durante las intervenciones. En este artículo explore los impactos de la invisibilización de la violencia de las mujeres durante conflictos, incluyendo impactos negativos en estas mujeres

Identidade, estabilidade, ameaças híbridas e desinformação

The following article examines the relevance of gender and intersectional analyses to better understanding hybrid threats, in particular those that are increasingly targeting civilian environments. The authors first present relevant concepts including hybrid threats and warfare, resilience, disinformation, civilian agency, and intersectionality as a method. Thereafter they discuss how disinformation is used to destabilise societies by directly attacking civilian spaces and attempting to foment polarisation and unrest, if not conflict. The authors then discuss how the concepts of disinformation and civilian agency are illuminated through gender and intersectional analyses, speaking to complex, civilian contexts by examining how gender (and race) have been employed to attempt to foment destabilisation. They conclude with some brief reflections about the role of gender and intersectional approaches in understanding hybrid threats and warfare, not just in European but also for other parts of the world.El artículo examina la relevancia de los análisis interseccionales y de género para comprender mejor las amenazas híbridas, en particular aquellas que se dirigen cada vez más a entornos civiles. En primer lugar se presentan los conceptos más relevantes, que incluyen: amenazas híbridas y guerra, resiliencia, desinformación, agencia civil e interseccionalidad como método. A partir de estos, se discute cómo se utiliza la desinformación para desestabilizar sociedades atacando directamente los espacios civiles e intentando fomentar la polarización, el malestar o directamente el conflicto. A continuación, se discute cómo los conceptos de desinformación y agencia civil se pueden comprender a través de análisis interseccionales y de género, cuando se abordan contextos civiles complejos al examinar cómo se ha empleado el género (y la raza) para intentar fomentar la desestabilización. Las conclusiones proponen algunas breves reflexiones sobre el papel del género y los enfoques interseccionales en la comprensión de las amenazas híbridas y la guerra, no solo en Europa sino también en otras partes del mundo.O artigo examina a relevância das análises intersetoriais e de gênero para entender melhor as ameaças híbridas, particularmente aquelas que têm como alvo cada vez mais ambientes civis. Em primeiro lugar, são apresentados os conceitos mais relevantes, que incluem: ameaças híbridas e guerra, resiliência, desinformação, agência civil e interseccionalidade como método. Com base nisso, discute-se como a desinformação é usada para desestabilizar as sociedades, atacando diretamente os espaços civis e tentando promover a polarização, a agitação ou o conflito direto. A seguir, é discutido como os conceitos de desinformação e agência civil podem ser entendidos por meio de análises intersetoriais e de gênero, ao abordar contextos civis complexos, examinando como gênero (e raça) tem sido usado para tentar promover a desestabilização. Os resultados propõem algumas reflexões breves sobre o papel do gênero e das abordagens intersetoriais na compreensão das ameaças híbridas e da guerra, não apenas na Europa, mas também em outras partes do mundo

The Carnegie Hubble Program: The Distance and Structure of the SMC as Revealed by Mid-infrared Observations of Cepheids

Using Spitzer observations of classical Cepheids we have measured the true average distance modulus of the SMC to be $18.96 \pm 0.01_{stat} \pm 0.03_{sys}$ mag (corresponding to $62 \pm 0.3$ kpc), which is $0.48 \pm 0.01$ mag more distant than the LMC. This is in agreement with previous results from Cepheid observations, as well as with measurements from other indicators such as RR Lyrae stars and the tip of the red giant branch. Utilizing the properties of the mid--infrared Leavitt Law we measured precise distances to individual Cepheids in the SMC, and have confirmed that the galaxy is tilted and elongated such that its eastern side is up to 20 kpc closer than its western side. This is in agreement with the results from red clump stars and dynamical simulations of the Magellanic Clouds and Stream.Comment: Accepted for publication in ApJ. 38 Pages, 11 figures. Figure 9 is interactive. Spitzer photometry for all Cepheids available as online tabl

“I owe my recovery to the group”: how addicts learn to recover: a case study of an addiction aftercare group.

Doctoral degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.This study explores how addicts learned to recover in an addiction aftercare group by identifying the pedagogic and group mechanisms of recovery, and revealing the knowledge and competencies that assisted participants. Part One outlines the ongoing, critical problem of addiction, both internationally and locally, and group approaches to recovery. Part Two analyses the findings, locating each category of findings in its own literature review. The interdisciplinary study was informed by communities of practice theory (1991, 1998) and elements of attachment-based psychology theory, focusing on identity. Psychological challenges for the addicted population were highlighted and linked to Khantzian’s self-medication hypothesis (1975) and to research on the attachment aspect of groups. This work provided conceptual tools that broadened understanding of the aetiology of addiction being formed by, and redressed through, relationship. Research on two relevant group models - the psychological approach and the twelve-step model - was used to guide the approach to the case study. Case study and bricolage methodologies were employed in the qualitative study. The nineteen participants were from a clinic addiction aftercare group in a city in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Each had achieved over a year of unbroken recovery. The group was co-facilitated by three consecutive addiction counsellors and the author. Data was collected from eight individual interviews and five focus groups. The emergent themes were analysed using a hybrid method of thematic analysis and interpretive phenomenological analysis. The findings revealed that group recovery transformed key aspects of the person with addiction: spiritual and religious; psychological (including emotional regulation — specifically of shame, anger and honesty, working with empathy and the development of self-esteem); and physical. These were termed ‘Mechanisms of Transformation’. Mechanisms that emerged as critical to addiction group recovery were Mechanisms of Transformation; Membership; Regime of Competence; and the Competency Framework. Membership is crucial as it overcomes the alienating aspects of shame and creates opportunity for acceptance, belonging and participation. The Regime of Competence — the authority aspect of the group — allows participants to call errant members to order on key issues such as honesty. This is essential as relapse begins in thought and other behaviour and can be identified in transgressions of the Regime of Competence. The Competency Framework is an evolving repertoire of essential recovery skills and knowledge. From these mechanisms, I developed an interactional model that suggests how the mechanisms work as components of the recovery practice and highlights their possible effects on participants’ recoveries. This model could prove beneficial to addiction recovery groups in varied contexts. Limitations are that a single case was used in a particular context, making generalisation tentative until followed up empirically. This study makes a methodological contribution in terms of ‘insider’ research. It also makes an interdisciplinary contribution to the advancement of knowledge in terms of the understanding of group recovery from addiction, particularly in South Africa

407-3 Glutathione Peroxidase Prevents the Inactivation of Nitric Oxide and Restores the Inhibition of Platelet Function by S-Nitrosothiols

The interaction of nitric oxide (NO) with reactive oxygen species in the vasculature can inactivate NO leading to potentially adverse vascular consequences. Glutathione peroxidases (GSH-Px), a family of antioxidant enzymes present at reduced concentrations in plasma and platelets of patients with coronary artery disease, catalyze the reduction of hydrogen peroxide and lipid hydroperoxides (LOOH) by glutathione. Given the role of LOOH in platelet eicosanoid metabolism and their presence in atherosclerotic plaque, we investigated the effect of GSH-Px on the inhibition of platelet function by the naturally occurring NO donor, S-nitroso-glutathione (SNO-Glu). Subthreshold inhibitory concentrations of SNO-Glu were added to platelet-rich plasma, and aggregation was induced by arachidonate. The addition of GSHPx (0.2–20U/ml) to this system led to a dose-dependent inhibition of platelet aggregation with an IC50= 0.6U/ml GSH-Px (p < 0.05 by ANOVA). Superoxide dismutase (0.1–200U/ml), catalase (0.1–200U/ml), or GSH-Px without SNO-Glu did not alter platelet aggregation responses. The addi ion of GSH-Px to a subthreshold inhibitory concentration of sodium nitroprusside also did not affect platelet aggregation responses. LOOH increased platelet aggregation in the presence of SNO-Glu, an effect reversed by GSH-Px. Levels of cGMP were measured after platelets were incubated with SNO-Glu, exogenous LOOH, and GSH-Px. SNO-Glu alone increased cGMP levels, and this effect was attenuated by LOOH but restored by the addition of GSH-Px. GSH-Px activity was equivalent with either SNO-Glu or glutathione as cosubstrate. Incubation of SNO-Glu with GSH-Px led to a 48.5% decrease in the concentration of SNO-Glu as determined by HPLC-electrochemical detection. Incubation of SNO-Glu with albumin in the presence of GSH-Px led to increased formation of S-nitroso-albumin, a prevalent reservoir of EDRF in plasma. These results show that GSH-Px, at physiologically relevant concentrations, has a potent effect on NO-induced inhibition of platelet aggregation and that this enzyme may have two functions: (i) metabolism of LOOH, thereby preventing its inactivation of NO; and (ii) metabolism of SNO-Glu, thereby liberating NO and/or supporting further transnitrosation reactions These findings suggest that GSH-Px, in addition to its antioxidant functions, regulates the availability of NO in the vasculature and possibly alters plateletdependent thrombotic events

The Carnegie Hubble Program

We present an overview of and preliminary results from an ongoing comprehensive program that has a goal of determining the Hubble constant to a systematic accuracy of 2%. As part of this program, we are currently obtaining 3.6 micron data using the Infrared Array Camera (IRAC) on Spitzer, and the program is designed to include JWST in the future. We demonstrate that the mid-infrared period-luminosity relation for Cepheids at 3.6 microns is the most accurate means of measuring Cepheid distances to date. At 3.6 microns, it is possible to minimize the known remaining systematic uncertainties in the Cepheid extragalactic distance scale. We discuss the advantages of 3.6 micron observations in minimizing systematic effects in the Cepheid calibration of the Hubble constant including the absolute zero point, extinction corrections, and the effects of metallicity on the colors and magnitudes of Cepheids. We are undertaking three independent tests of the sensitivity of the mid-IR Cepheid Leavitt Law to metallicity, which when combined will allow a robust constraint on the effect. Finally, we are providing a new mid-IR Tully-Fisher relation for spiral galaxies